To become a more productive writer, seeking an editor is often the missing key. Most writers naturally assume that they can edit their own work, when, in reality, it often takes an editor to point out the flaws and weakness in the written piece.

2. Drafting is the second stage of the writing process. This involves writing a few sentences about each of your main points.

3. Expanding is the third stage of the writing process. This involves writing the “meat” of your work. Here you expand upon your initial points, go in-depth, and incorporate your purpose into your piece.

Now that your work has been written, it’s time for a bit of editing to take place, as there are still two more stages to the writing process: Re-writing… and more re-writing!

The first stage of the editing process involves reading what’s been written, and determining if the piece flows.

During this stage, many things happen. Facts are checked. Grammar, syntax, and punctuation are perfected. As well, editors will note if things need to be re-arranged. They will also determine if anything needs to be omitted, and also determine whether something is missing or not. Thus, the first re-writing stage occurs.

Once cohesion has been achieved, the piece will be “left alone” for a while.

When it is returned to, it will undergo a second round of editing. Other points may be added then, too.

The final stage of the editing process involves proofreading. During this stage, any misspelled words are corrected and grammatical improvements are made. Thus, the second re-writing stage occurs!

The final product will be a finished, polished piece that anyone would be proud to read!

Knowing the difference between the writing and editing processes and how they intertwine is one of the keys to becoming a more productive writer.

Tip #2. Get Over Your Fear by Blindfolding Yourself

As I mentioned in my post on Problogger, stream-of-consciousness writing involves writing down whatever comes to mind, ignoring typos, omitting periods, and basically separating the writing from the editing process. Stream-of-consciousness writing does not have to be logical or follow an order. Instead, rules can be broken and complete freedom from writing conventions should be had.

Stream-of-consciousness writing allows you to have other freedoms, too, while writing. You don’t have to worry about being judged. You can make mistakes. Everything is going to be “fixed” during the editing process anyway, so let yourself go and just write.

The scariest moment is always just before you start. ~Stephen King

Once you start, you’ll find it difficult to stop! Trust me on this one. Not knowing how many words you’ve written will help you get over your fear of having to write those 2000 words, too! Plus, you’ll find yourself unleashing more creativity than you ever imagined possible.

Tip #3. Be An Accountable Time Ninja!

Okay, so I’m combining two tips into one here. The first is to be accountable (to yourself and to others).

By telling others your goals, or having an “accountability buddy,” you will force yourself to meet your goals, as your friends or buddies will be expecting you to succeed, and will be checking in on your progress on a regular basis.

The second is to be a ‘time ninja.’

Q:“What’s a ‘time ninja,’ Lorraine?'”

A:A ‘time ninja’ is someone who plans their time and lives life according to a schedule (or tries to!). A ‘time ninja’ prioritizes tasks, and completes the most important and hardest ones first. Time ninjas set deadlines… and actually meet them. They are the most productive people, too… whether they are writers or not.

Q: How do I become a ‘time ninja’?

A: There are several things you can do to become a time ninja. Here are six:

1. Use empty pockets of time wisely. Empty pockets of time are those times when you are doing something else… and are simply waiting.

For example, while waiting in the doctor’s office, record something on your phone. Carry a pen and a pad of paper with you to jot down notes. If you commute via train, use that pocket of travel time. Trust me, all these pockets of time add up, and will help you become a more productive writer!

2. Make time to write. Get up an hour earlier. Forgo an hour of TV. Prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them. Each of these will allow you to “make extra time” for yourself to write.

3. Plan ahead. Use a calendar AND use a day book (also called an agenda book). Determine how many words you need to write, and by when, then calculate how much you need to output each week and each day in order to meet that goal. Many authors (and wannabe authors) do this.

4. Allow yourself freedom and don’t stress if you fail. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t meet your daily quota. Life happens, and the unexpected is to be expected! Sicknesses will arise. Something will come up. Writer’s block will happen… among a million other things. The main thing to remember is that you will experience more success if you are flexible!

5. Time-box. Batch tasks. Set specific times of the day to perform certain activities. For example, only check your email twice a day, at a set time each day.

6. Write at YOUR optimal time. Your optimal time is the time when you feel the freshest and are the most eager and energetic. For me, this time varies. Sometimes my optimal time occurs late at night or early in the morning, when all is quiet, and I can hear myself think.

My concentration is best then. Yet, at other times, I am so inspired to write (or work) that I can effectively “block out” all distractions (like the TV going, noise from children playing, the irritation of the washer or dryer running, etc.).

Lorraine Reguly, B.A./B.Ed., is an author and English teacher-turned-freelancer for hire. Her life journey is motivational and inspirational. Lorraine's book, From Nope to Hope, is a self-help book designed to help anyone who wishes to lead a happier life, and contains a built-in workbook. Lorraine offers 4 different services on Wording Well, including writing/blogging, and editing. She also helps others become published authors! Check out her services and see what she can do for YOU. You can also visit her author site, Laying It Out There. And don't forget to pick up your FREE copy of 20 Blog Post Must-Haves today!

What keeps me motivated and productive, are my pains and dreams (and as the mighty song Epitaph puts it, nightmares and dreams tear apart the man!), so I don’t expect myself to be scheduled, though that causes losses like the very last one that I missed a great competition opportunity which I had high motivations for and was very optimist about my job, and that could just change my life, but at the end what matters the most is the product itself.

Gaurav, time management is something even the professionals struggle with, especially when they get sick! Having a plan in place to execute in such situations is critical to success. Otherwise, you just fall behind and have trouble getting caught up when you heal from your sickness.

I speak from experience on this one… I’ve been sick for the past week with a bad cold and an ear infection, and I regrettably have fallen behind in my work!

I love #2 Lorraine. Blindfolding yourself and writing helps the words flow. Later, edit your work. But letting the stream flow freely taps into something deeper, something emotional, that you could never unleash if you were worried about editing….or screwing up the post. Write, write and write some more. Let it flow. Let it go. This raw material is the stuff of greatness. Then you can edit for the final package. Loving these tips.

Awesome post dear, I enjoyed reading, but my best way to be productive writer is write when I feel I must write and of course I always pick a topic on which I love and it helps me not only write 3-5k words, but I can solve maximum queries of users on that particular topic.

So, this is my way to be productive writer & when I do not write I promote my content on social media, as it helps me get more visitors & I turn some of those to my subscribers.

I’m glad to read a fantastic piece as this from you, again. Writing could mean so many things to different people. People have diverse ways of reading and understanding things and people; so it is in writing.

The “Accountable Time Ninja” caught my attention the most while reading through. I will be applying the guide made available here as soon as I can. I do appreciate your drive to share with this awesome community.

What keeps me motivated and productive, are my pains and dreams (and as the mighty song Epitaph puts it, nightmares and dreams tear apart the man!), so I don’t expect myself to be scheduled, though that causes losses like the very last one that I missed a great competition opportunity which I had high motivations for and was very optimist about my job, and that could just change my life, but at the end what matters the most is the product itself.

Lorraine, I really enjoyed this post. You can make a course on this you know! 🙂 Teaching others to self-edit or running a masterclass on that would be awesome and also showing how to effectively use your time. Something small like an hour masterclass on this would be perfect for your audience (and I would tell my subscribers about it too)…

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